Cake and Icicles

 SO MUCH EXCITEMENT!! After counting down since Christmas, ANNE FINALLY TURNED 5!!! She picked Trix for her Birthday Cereal, opened presents that morning, and enjoyed her new Polly Pockets and modeling new outfits all day.  She also loved finding out the phone was for her when she answered, and proceeded to walk around the house w/ her hand on her hip telling Grandma about what crazy things Lucy did that morning, and how hilarious her frog singing "Happy Birthday" card was :).

We labored way too long to make a "Dora Cake," and ate Macaroni and Cheese w/ hotdogs before heading to New Beginnings, where Emily was honored as an incoming Beehive!

Emily also had the excitement of the school Spelling Bee this week:

She was disappointed to get out on "disparity" (not dispparity), but studied hard, and aside from not being able to get all of these wordspellings out of her head, had fun with the excitement--there wasn't NEAR the time to study that there was last year, but she did well!

Meanwhile, we have been BURIED in SNOW!!!! We have had dumping, and dumping, and more dumping!

From this picture you can see from the driveway, how deep it got up to the boys--we actually had SCHOOL CANCELLED!!! from so much snow IN UTAH!! Then we got an ice storm ON TOP of all of that snow, and had school delayed 2 hours after kids could barely walk home the afternoon before (we all would've done better to just have ice skates!!--I couldn't even go up our driveway, and we had a few injuries in our neighborhood of people slipping and falling.  Snow never looked so good! Fortunately, we got above freezing the day after, and with an entire bag of ice melt, were able to move again!! It has been QUITE a winter!! I've gotten down comforters for all of the basement beds, and Brian and I are looking seriously at putting in a woodburning stove in the basement, since we would quickly freeze if the power ever went out! I read The Undaunted about the pioneers going through "The Hole in the Rock" to settle 4 Corners area, and LOVED picturing all the desert! I've even started putting together ideas for camping in Moab (or further south!) for Spring Break. 

Though it's left us all with a few colds, we're getting pretty good at slick driving and shoveling, and warming up the cars before we leave :).  What a winter!! We ended the week by celebrating Anne's birthday at the Circus!! (You can look back to last year to see our disappointing attempt to go then) I found some half price tickets online, and minus Brian and Brent home sick, we drove up to Ogden for a great time! Once the lights dimmed and the music and announcements started, Anne was in a trance!--she didn't even notice the popcorn we kept trying to pass to her!--though it was so loud Emily and I stuffed bits of Kleenex in our ears the whole time, it was a FUN show!!--tigers, trapeze, magic tricks, clowns, dogs & ponies, juggling, tightrope walking, daredevils, and dancing elephants! The younger girls had taken naps that afternoon so they could stay out so late, and we did have a blast!

after I took this picture, Spencer told me I missed the announcement about no cell phone pictures--I don't know how ANYone could understand a thing at that volume!

Anne had her first Suzuki Graduation concert on Saturday, playing with all of the other "twinklers" and getting a certificate for learning all of them this year.  She loved wearing one of her new birthday outfits, and LOVED being on stage (I love it how she lolls her tongue out of her mouth when she's excited :).

sweet Emily re-gifted her flower from New Beginnings for her :)

Brian was feeling enough better that night that the 2 of us were able to go see a Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit in Salt Lake, which was quite fun!--I kept getting nervous every time I'd finish reading a sign/display without interruption--I'm so used to having more to keep track of! :) He was such an innovative man, who sure made amazing use of his little-educated life!! Mindboggling to realize all he studied, learned, created, in so many fields from art, music, and anatomy, to mechanics and war machinery! I love how much he mimicked the natural world to create effective tools/ideas.  Amazing how enlightened he was for the time period he lived through!

Little~slow~Moments

 This is Lucy at the Jr High--we were either picking up Brent's clarinet for a repair, or dropping off Maddie's violin that she forgot--just a quick into the office and out.  Only there's no such thing as quick when you put your coat (and sweater today) on and off every time you get in or out of the van, run away when it's time to brush hair or go potty, and take off your shoes every time you're not walking in them, and stop to look at every clump of snow, every pattern in the carpet, and anything else you can see! But I had just heard something that stuck w/ me from a Women's Conference talk.  Wayne Brickey (one of our BYU bishops) was talking about parenting, and said as we wait for toddlers on OUR schedule, maybe they are still a little more used to Heaven's schedule where there ARE NO CLOCKS and learning, exploring, and growing are key.  I loved seeing her little dawdly focusless direction as heavenly, instead of what I was trying not to call it.  This day we waited long enough to take a picture of her, AND these cute ones of nearly-ready-for-Kindergarten-Anne :)

 Also, here are some favorite lines of the week:
Anne:

"I turned the “dingbell light” on Mom since it's dark now!" (she turned on the front porch light--by the door bell)

Spencer:

"We are actually going to be SUSSESSFUL at finishing this puzzle!" (it is so fun to say that while finishing a puzzle!)

Lucy:

"There's Daddy! (in the hall at church)--HE MARRIED YOU :) :)!!!" (this was from an explanation of why I was leaving for our date night--because Daddy and I are married and love each other, and want to go be together for a little bit--to which she then replied, "I don't want you to be married!")

Spencer:

Is Dad still in the bishopric?--Do they switch it around every year like they do our Primary teachers? :)

This was at the trampoline park right before they went back to school (on JAN 2!!!)--can I just say how great they are to have around??--the older girls to convince in sweet and miraculously effective-let's have a party ways--their younger counterparts to brush their hair, clean up a mess, finish their dinner, or whatever else I ask them to do that makes them cry, AND Brent, who DOES DISHES while my back is turned, and asks about 7x/day if I need any help with anything (I usually do look THAT frazzled :) ).  I love being surrounded by them, even if I am NEVER quick :)!

Brian: Worstday? to Birthday!

Brian went to work Monday morning, and
1-he had an email from the mayor re: her blackmail efforts to expose the fact that he had some late utility bills to the paper

2-he went to withdraw his paycheck from the lawfirm account, only to find it was empty

3-(after he said, "Don't tell me, you've got a new job") his dream secretary told him she had a new job!!

He came home pretty stoked for celebrating New Year's Eve.  Because it WAS the eve of a fresh new year, we kept our plans to play games w/ some fun couples and raclette w/ them over some FINE food, while Maddie went to her 80's dance (only the 14 year-olds dressed up, Mom--that's why I took my scrunchie out), and I made 2 different kinds of chex mix, gyoza, and grilled cheese for the remaining children celebrating at home :).  Brian and I ended the night w/ our daily crossword puzzle races (we got the books in our stockings--cool). 

So, that small-business stress has owned our week, but Brian's birthday was Saturday, so we took advantage of a ksldeal (one found in Brian's stocking), and visited Crystal Hot Springs!! He had to admit it was the first time he was outdoor swimming on his birthday!! It was fun, dipping our toes in snow, then feeling that fire-tingling from the 100 degree mineral water.  Steam everywhere, and a cold (70 degrees) pool we kept daring each other to go in.  It was a fun little getaway, and really relaxing.  (Look at that dinner picture---we need relaxing!) We stopped at Smith and Edwards on the way home (a crazy army surplus, but so much more store in the middle of NOWHERE) and the kids all got to pick out 50 cents worth of candy, which they LOVED, since they had a huge 20/$1 section--it was as exciting as "A kid in a candy shop"--:).  We came home and had steak and Black Forest Cherry birthday cake for him too.  He got a heater for the shed, and some new white shirts--I know, the excitement is uncontainable around here :). 

Christmastime!!

I (still) LOVE this time of year, and the past week has made all of the busyness of preparation worth it.  Before Christmas we:
-had a quick visit from mom for Cousin Ems' wedding*
-ate @ Work Dinner
-datenighted A Christmas Carol*
-mailed Christmas cards
-delivered Christmas goodies (this year, a microwave bag of popcorn w/ "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Get a   SHOW" + a free redbox code on it)
-attended piano recital

-listened to Syracuse Symphony*
-did 12 Days of Christmas
-ate too many donuts at Church Christmas Breakfast

 

-had a Christmas sing-along w/ friends

-got together w/ 3 old roommates!! (where WERE our cameras???)

-attended tithing settlement

-watched 3rd season of Downton Abbey

-made gingerbread houses w/ cousins, and

 -wrapped*, shopped, cleaned, and wrapped* in every spare(?) minute

(* denotes events that brought on tears--usually of joy, but I'll leave it to individual interpretation)

ALSO, amid all the excitement, my friend, to thank me for watching her kids lately, and to surprise me w/ a break took me to my FIRST EVER PEDICURE!!! And, I nearly cried again--first from nervousness--thank goodness I shaved that day!!--and then from pure bliss--I didn't even care that I amazed sweet Tina w/ my callouses--it was SO nice!

Then, resolved to not enter a store for at least 48 hours, we cozied up here at home on Christmas Eve, finished cleaning and cooking everything up while Brian miraculously gifted me an enclosed shower (we had some real steam-escaping problems, so he plexiglassed the top!).  I did so well at staying at home, that I lost my keys, and since I didn't realize it until after garbage collection day, I will never know for sure what happened to them, but I'm fairly positive they were thrown away in some little cleaning rush--either from the cold van or the too-close countertops, but fortunately, I have been SO relieved of stress that it hasn't bothered me nearly as much as it otherwise would--AND they had an Atlanta Braves keychain at Wal-Mart!!

 We watched Elf while we finished up laundry, enjoyed a google chat w/ the Mildenhall gang (sans R&B), and then dug into our turkey feast--and thanks to the goodies we've been swimming in, we had a cheese ball to start, and I didn't even make dessert!! We started w/ a pickle tray and cheese/crackers, then a warm bacon and spinach salad course, followed by turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, beans and pomegranate salad :).  The children worked hard on their Nativity costumes while I worked hard on not grumbling over so many dishes (some habits die hard :) ), and then we read scriptures and sang songs of Christ's birth before opening pajamas. As long as we referred to the angel as "Princess Angel" there was no haggling over parts :).

   It had snowed all day, so so much microfleece was much welcomed, and Grandma Stewart spoiled us all w/ crocheted slippers again this year, which were promptly tested out on the newly mopped floor:

The older children all gathered in the basement to sleep, but there were enough sniffles going around to keep them from an all-nighter. We decided that Lucy's wakening was to be our "Alarm clock" and though they tried much noise-making and ceiling banging, she slept happily until nearly 8! We leisurely opened gifts together:  more arrows for their pvc bows, kinect games, clothes, duffel bags, and 72-hr kits :), toys, etc., then there was cinnamon rolls, breakfast casserole, and stocking food to keep everyone occupied all day.  While the kids went downstairs for "Wipeout," I started reading, and soon SLEPT and SLEPT!!--all of that Christmas craziness just dreamt itself away, and I just basked in the relief of not having "one more thing" left to think about or do.  

And so it's continued:  We've gone sledding, taken the older kids to Hobbit and the younger ones to Nickelcade w/ G&G Christmas $,

 read books, had airsoft wars (if you're a 13 year old boy), played a lot of duets (if you're Emily or Maddie), had bow and arrow battles, finished a fun BYU puzzle, stayed in pajamas a lot, made a lot of warm cider, shoveled snow, and just enjoyed having such a free schedule, hearing Lucy say "Lalaloopsy" and being together.  I am loath to see it end, but SO grateful while it's lasted! Hope you're all having equally cozy happy times!

Eleven, Earaches, and Elephants

I LOVE this time of year, though with all of the added fun, I must admit that basics like laundry and dishes (and more laundry) are getting woefully behind! It's hard to feel too down with warm lights and Christmas carols everywhere.

Emily turned 11 on Tuesday, after counting down (OUTLOUD...to all of us!) for 2 weeks!! She had some friends over for movie and dirt cake the Saturday before, and got the camera she'd wanted, filling up her memory card about as fast as we can download her images and videos to the computer. Her first movie was animated glow bracelets to music :). Emily is SO generous and thoughtful—with candy, her time and energy, and anything else she can think of. (For Example: She bought some colorful duck tape with some of her birthday $, and the first thing she did was come home and make rings and necklaces for Anne & Lucy AND have a “Super Power Meeting” in a “clubhouse” (read “tent in her bedroom” to show them their new super power rings!) Her excitement is contagious, and we all love (and laugh) to be with her :). She chose Cocoa Pebbles for her birthday cereal, and Macaroni & Cheese w/ hotdogs & Lemon Poppyseed cake for dinner.

After Thanksgiving, some of our playgroup went to Free Winter Wednesday at Hogle Zoo--and the weather was PERFECT!!--sunny light jackets and short sleeves, we were SO glad!! AND the animals were fabulous!!--flipping polar bear, lots of elephants, roaming tiger, wild monkeys, and plenty of snakes (what all the 3 year olds were begging for??).  We all rode down together in our big white van, ate lunch there, and were all glad to get back even earlier than expected with all of the reasons (laundry is just the beginning) waiting at home that we shouldn't have left.

That night we took the 4 oldest to see our Snarr neighbors in The Savior of the World at the Conference Center.  It was so well done, and really fun to see familiar faces--especially right up front!!  Having scriptures re-enacted like that was like having my heart put out in 3-D on a stage, and seeing their 2 girls sing their hearts out to "Glory to God" in the angel choir made you feel it all over!

Santa happened to be in Wal-Mart last Saturday, so we took the little girls over for a candy cane.  Anne was thrilled; Lucy tried to disappear behind my legs, and now says enthusiastically, whenever people ask if Santa is coming to her house, "Yeah!--He a SCARY GUY!" I think last year is still haunting her.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClFPIuP5tuVPzGE42tZ04YszJOEcFrJtnISGV_c48JkrM3Yy19NpHeOBxtql7nIsVIXWy2a_txnj7x9_mwE2dGyuqpsdB-vYmT2P2FvKFtSXzY8BvGxaal4vHMmisI1OeGE5mMirZT6-0/s400/santatugowar.JPG

Monday, Anne was suffering through an earache, but hated to miss her violin concert, so we loaded up on Tylenol and warm coats, and made a quick night of her Suzuki Christmas concert @ Joseph Smith Memorial Building.  We saw just a bit of the Temple Square lights, and then got sandwich stuff from Tony Caputo's on the way home (since our favorite Siegfried's was closed!).

Anne got over her earache, we've finished most of our shopping and getting Christmas cards ready, and we ended the week hosting the Bishopric Christmas party last night, with some pretty hilarious white elephant contributions (our nose hair trimmer was just the beginning!).